12th Grade FINAL
Marist 19 - Frankton 10

Yes - the team came away unbeaten again, a great season, and most of the boys off to college next year, so their final game together.

James played an awesome game at lock, winning plenty of opposition lineout throws, and making some good runs.

Brianna and Kendall also had their final netball games last week, both winning.

Not much else to say, have been watching the Tall Blacks, the game was too close against Japan ...what a great game to watch live though!

Have spotted Brendan once!!

Kendall decided on a disco for her birthday, and the only way to have a successful one is to have plenty of people to dance!

There was plenty of fun, some funky moves (and some really strange ones!) and plenty of hyperactive children by the end of the night!

HAPPY 13th JAMES!

What do you get when you combine 9 boys and a room full of mattresses?

Carnage!

Although there were some quieter moments!

Clockwise from top: Leon, Josh, David, Liam, Greg, Sam, Daniel

James and Matthew ... and the rest in the mirror

After a session of pizza, lots of soft drink, lollies and a 'Scary Movie' triple feature,
we think they were asleep by about 3am, (or maybe we had finally succumbed and just couldn' t hear them!)

On Monday, Nicky, James, Bri and K went SHOPPING! After some negotiation, James came away with the things he wanted, and by the end of the day was exhausted ... but not too tired to pose with his sisters, and of course another specialty chocolate ganache 4 layer birthday cake. Much to Ian's disgust, this is the 4th cake he has made like this in five weeks. Perhaps he could make some money on the side and sell them for a decent price, might pay for some redecorating costs!

Speaking of which, Ian has managed to complete the kids lounge, and has started up the stairs, however some far reaching ladders are now needed if he thinks he will continue with the work anytime soon! The difference in the second lounge is amazing, the key is to keep it tidy now! (Note the poser managed to get herself into another photo!)

James was also named player of the day in his team's recent encounter with Ngaruawahia. It's a shame Marist Seniors can't take some tips from 12th grade green on how to win, after a second loss in as many weeks to Hautapu, this time losing a berth in the finals. James' team however, is running on winning streak (no losses this year)

Brianna and Kendall are going great guns in their netball, some close encounters (and some not so close!) but all up having a pretty good season. Brianna seems to be best in the WD or WA position, and Kendall hasn't found her niche postion yet, but knows it isn't in the goals as she invariably ends up against some rather tall opposition! (Please note Kendall was GK in this game - surprisingly her team lost!)

Phone Call Transcript: 1515hrs Friday 7/4/2006 NZT
Hi Mum it's me ...we have a parcel, can I open it?
Who's it from?
I don't know, it doesn't say
Who's it to?
The Morgan Family
What does the postage stamp say on it?
Huh?
On the corner where the stamp is ..what country is it from?
Umm ....... oh it's from Stephen ...can we open it PLEASE? It says toys.
Yeah o-Thanks Mum - bye! CLICK

THANKS FOR THE PACKAGE STEVE ... IF WE WERE MEANT TO WAIT UNTIL EASTER OR SOMETHING, THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN!

-ooOOoo-

It's been a while since Ian and Nicky have featured here, and a recent wedding of a friend resulted in us actually getting a photo together! Please note Ian was only thinking of curling up and going to sleep at this point ... is around 2am after a big night!

The wedding was a very cultural affair, with the entire wedding party wearing skirts, congrats Rowan and Allan!!

Catch Up

Sorry it's been so long between posts, once school goes back, everything gets so much busier and the luxury of time is not on our sides!
Here's some info from James about what he's been up to:

Just a few days ago I had swimming sports with a whole lot of other catholic schools from around the hamilton area and I came 3rd, 5th & last but I didn't care because all the other kids doing the races were from my school with only one from another school. Also in the third week me, bri, k and dad went to see the lion man at the hamilton events centre and had a blast.
Schools great! On the 3rd we had a Funtastic Friday with the longest water slide SPC has ever seen along with two little bouncy castles and food & drinks. The 3rd monday of the term Miss Follett announced the house leaders and deputy house leaders. I ended up getting dep. house house leader for McKillop and my best friend got school leader when everyone thought it was going to be me but it doesn't bother me.

And some stuff from Brianna:
I have been doing alot of art at school as well as p.a.t tests at home I have been playing cricket with james.Swimming sports are comming up and we have been doing alot of practicing. In the holidays james trained me for alter serving which is great fun. We done lots of awesome things in the holidays and on thursday it was bow tie day we raised alot of money for those with muscular disdrfeI am in room one. last tuesday we were aloud to wear mufti to raise money for the relay for life. there has been lots of things going on in the school .I have had a awesome time at school.

Last but not least ... Kendall:
Well yesterday was won of the funest days of my life.It was called Funtastic Friday.It had all sorts of things like a littel bouncy castel.The water slides that where amazing! I loved the sort of boucy castle slide.James and I had a race on it.I'll tell what happend, A lady said'Go'and we where off. James friend David tried to hold james so I could win the race.James was holding on to my leg so he would win the race.I grabbed on to a handel to make him let go and he did but he grabbed my leg again. I kicked his hand off then I slid down the slide.I always thought that boys always bet girls but not for long.

Maybe some more photos later!!
See ya!

Hamilton Sunset 10 January 2006 We decided to try and make the gardens a little more low maintenance as 12 months of neglect really didn't do them any good ... and the dandelions and clover weren't a good look. The end result is quite spectacular! (well - we think so anyway!)

We have now reinstated the volleyball net in the back yard since the wind has decided to die down. James has easy competition against Bri, but it's a pretty even match when facing Nicky!

Brianna and Kendall went to the movies together today, saw the Chronicles of Narnia. They really enjoyed it, and Kendall advises she didn't have to cuddle into Bri once! Was 2 1/2 hours, so that gave James and Nicky a chance to window shop and people watch .... there are some strange sights in Hamilton city! James is waiting to go to King Kong with Ian, they just need 3 1/2 hours free time.

Still another 3 weeks of holidays for J, B and K , hopefully the weather will be as awesome as it has been the last five days. Ian is back at work already, and Nicky returns on the 16th, doing extra early starts to get home by the time Ian leaves for work ... like passing ships!

Catch you all later!

Boxing Day Part II

As the night progressed and

everyone was fed and 'watered',

inhibitions were lost, resulting in these shots ....




Notice the leopard skins on Tash? Hopefully Jack didn't spot them, we don't want him getting the wrong idea on fashions like his Dad!

The instuments came out a little later, and Kendall was a star on the bongo drums. Brianna has a few new dance moves too ... the shoulder shake and the supermodel pose. Luckily this day only comes around once a year!

Boxing Day Fun

Time for the presents. Each year there is something different that is popular. This year was the 'cool caddy' drink cooler, some chocolate fudge (that strangely felt somewhat lighter between Maree grabbing it and Julie then staking her claim on it). The oversized glasses featured for the third year running, this time with a sweetener - a $5 note. The Blitzem Slug pellets also went to a couple of people, but no one wanted Gordon's toilet duck refill or Connie's Dog Shampoo. Claire T was also most offended to score a pink baby's dummy, and that was quickly passed to wee Bella. I would say there were no tears, but I would be lying, next time we really need to explain the rules better to the under sixes!! Look out for those leopard skin boxers at a beach near you, they were proudly worn by Tash for the rest of the night.

A great turn out, once again. If you missed it, too bad!!

Happy 60th Graham

Six candles for six decades, six children, a six handicap???
Talking to Cathy ...
Taken aback by the present!
The Chocolate Gateau makes another appearance.... it's great to have a son-in-law who knows how to bake!
No offence intended over your present ... just wait, all your mates will be wanting one soon!

Christmas Day 2005

introducing Santa's little helper ... We snuck down and took this photo after Santa had been early on Christmas morning...
Waiting patiently for a present ......
Must've been a good present!

Well, the day has come and gone, and we now settle into a well deserved break for a couple of weeks. We had a great day, starting with a good sleep in after midnight mass. We didn't allow J, B or K downstairs until around 9am, and they didn't break the rules!

Kendall now has a bike that fits her, James scored a TV (it was tough thinking of anything for him!) and Brianna will be singing in tune sometime soon with Singstar Pop. The volleyball net is set up out the back, and once we get a still day, Nicky is going to show James how to play badminton properly! We are yet to find a home for the dart board (thanks Connie and Graham), however I am sure that with Ian and James' competitive natures, it will be hanging somewhere soon!

'Twas the day before Christmas ... and Kendall caught some quality time with Jack before he headed to Taupo with his Mum and Dad to meet Aunty Paula for the first time

Drum Roll Please ....Introducing the SPC Senior Boys Cross Country Champ for 2005:

The name of 'James Morgan' is in good company, with the likes of Malcolm Amarasekera also featuring on 'The Quinn Trophy'.

Oh, by the way, only five more sleeps!!

Seven more sleeps

And we have finally managed to get the Christmas Tree up!

Happy Birthday Old Fullah

Guess who just got older ...

unfortunately even after using all the pink candles in the house we still didn't have enough ... didn't matter though as we were running out of 'cake surface' to put them on!!

Here's Grandma, Aunty Claire, Brianna and Kendall at the Market Day in Hamilton East a couple of weeks ago.

SPC Titans - WINNERS DIV 3 -2005

Here's the shortest and tallest in the team - the one with the lollipop hanging out of his mouth is James, I didn't think you'd recognise him with his long hair. I think we need to start a petition for him to have a No 2 (at least) by Christmas!

James scored an awesome 3 pointer - nothin' but net!!
http://basketball.cyberpulse.co.nz/pdf/junior/50%20Intermediate%20Points%20Table%20Boys%20Div%202%20&%203%20Girls%20Div%201.pdf
H/T Score 12 - 4

Final Score 21 - 14